Edwin f



(No Model.)

E. P. BROWN. HORSE BLOCK.

No. 361,983. Patented Apr. 26, 1887.

r u n f UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

EDWIN F. BROWN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWIN LEEBROWN, OF SAME PLACE.

HORSE- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,983, datedApril 26, 1887.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN F. BROWN, of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Horse-Blocks, of which the following is a description, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, in Which-n Figure 1 is aperspectiveview of my improved horse-block. Fig. 2 is a transversevertical sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a sectional vieW in detail ofa portion of a plate and lens forming a part of said block, and Fig. 4is a like view showing a modification in the construction.

Like letters of reference indicate like-parts in the different figures.

The object of my invention is to so construct a horse-block that it maybe rendered luminous at night, While at the same time the luminousmaterial used therein may be so protected from the action of theelements as to render said luminosity continuous and durable. Iaccomplish said object substantially in the manner hereinafter moreparticularly described and claimed.

A, in the drawings, represents a horse-block constructed substantiallyiny the usual shape, and preferably from cast-iron plates attached toeach other by means of screws or bolts a, Fig. 2. The plates formingsaid frame are preferably provided with a series of recesses ordepressions, into which are placed a like number of glass lensesorplates, B B, each of which is secured and hermetically sealed in placeby means of acement or concrete filling, b, Figs. 2 and 3. Each of saidlenses or plates is preferably beveled, as shown, so as to be largeratthe base, While the opening into which it vis placed may be caused toflare outwardly, so that the filling b may present a V shape incross-section. As the filling attaches itself securely to theiron plate,it thus holds the glass securely in place and prevents the admission ofmoisture or air to the back.

Upon the flat surfaces, or those which are to be trodden upon, I preferto use the small lenses, and to surround the same by a series ofupwardly-projecting metallic studs or bosses, a', Which are cast uponthe plate in the Inanner common in vaultlight plates, to protect thelenses from being broken and to form a non-slippery surface.

Between the glass and metal I place a background, C, of luminous paint,which absorbs the rays of light during the day and gives it off atnight, thus making the lenses or glass plates, or both, as the case maybe, sufficiently radiant to be seen in the dark. By placing said glassesin depressions, as shown, and hermetically sealing them, as I prefer todo, the paint or composition forming the luminous background iscompletely protected from the action of the elements, and hence maylastndefinitely. Y

It is obvious that instead of using cast-metal plates the glass may beplaced in depressions formed in blocks of natural or artificial stone,Wood, or terra-cotta, and sealed in like manner; but I prefer theconstruction described.

It is apparent, also, that instead of merely making a depression in theplate for the reception of the glass a hole may be made entirelythrough, as shown in Fig. 4, a shoulder, a, being formed therein for thesupport of the glass, While a backing, C', provided with a coating, C,of luminous paint, may be placed behind the glass and detachedtherefrom, if

desired Said luminous material is thereby protected from rain and snow;but I prefer that it be hermetically sealed. The luminous paint may beplaced either directly upon the back of the glass or upon that whichforms a background therefor.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, Is-

The combination, with a horse-block having suitable depressions formedin its outer surface, of a series of lenses or glasses secured withinsaid depressions, and a hermeticallysealed background for said glassescomposed of luminous paint, substantially as shown and described.

EDWIN E. BROWN.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, J. B. HALPENNY.

